Non-invasive systems and methods for detecting mental impairment

Abstract

A mental impairment detection system and non-invasive method of detecting mental impairment of a user are provided. A test (e.g., an inhibitory reflex test or a sustained attention test) is administered to the user, brain activity in a frontal lobe of the user is non-invasively detected while the test is administered to the user, and a level of mental impairment of the user is determined based on the brain activity detected in the frontal lobe of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 712,141, filed Jul. 30, 2018, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present inventions relate to methods and systems for non-invasive measurements in the human body, and in particular, methods and systems related to detecting mental impairment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The operation of transportation vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and airplanes, as well as the performance of high responsibility jobs, such as air traffic controllers and heavy machinery operators (e.g., a forklift or crane), by individuals who are temporarily mentally impaired due to the influence of chemical substances, such as drugs (prescription or recreational) and alcohol, sleep deprivation, or brain injury (e.g., stroke or concussion) is a major problem. Not only do such mentally impaired persons put...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system and method for detecting mental impairment through a non-invasive brain interface assembly. The system includes a sensory stimulation device for administering a test to the user, a non-invasive brain interface assembly for detecting brain activity in the frontal lobe of the user while the test is administered, and a processor for determining the level of mental impairment of the user based on the brain activity detected. The non-invasive brain interface assembly may include optical and magnetic sensors for detecting brain activity, and may be configured to track head movements of the user. The test may include an inhibitory reflex test or a sustained attention test. The system may be used for determining the level of mental impairment of a user by quantifying the results of a test administered to the user and comparing them to baseline quantified results. The invention provides a non-invasive and reliable method for detecting mental impairment.

Problems solved by technology

The operation of transportation vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and airplanes, as well as the performance of high responsibility jobs, such as air traffic controllers and heavy machinery operators (e.g., a forklift or crane), by individuals who are temporarily mentally impaired due to the influence of chemical substances, such as drugs (prescription or recreational) and alcohol, sleep deprivation, or brain injury (e.g., stroke or concussion) is a major problem.

Not only do such mentally impaired persons put their own lives at risk, they put innocent lives at risk as well.

In addition to putting lives at risk, such mentally impaired individuals are subject to fines, license revocation or suspension, firing or suspension from employment, and criminal prosecution.

However, such systems only measure the level of alcohol content, and do not actually measure the level of impairment, of the individual being tested, and thus, may not accurately determine the ability of the individual to operate transportation vehicles or perform high responsibility jobs.

For example, alcohol tolerance levels may vary greatly amongst individuals, and more importantly, individuals with low alcohol tolerance levels may actually be mentally impaired to the extent that operating transportation vehicles or performing high responsibility jobs would be considered unsafe despite the fact the blood alcohol level of such individuals may indicate that they are not so impaired.

Furthermore, such sobriety screening systems do not take into account non-alcoholic causes of temporary mental impairment or other various levels of mental impairment, such as prescription or recreational drugs, as well as pre-existing medical conditions caused by disease or injury that may mentally impair an individual that is not under the influence of alcohol.

Images